Five games into this season's Heartland rugby championship and East Coast are still looking for their first try after a 45-0 loss to Poverty Bay in a derby match at Ruatoria today.
Trailing 0-19 at halftime East Coast, with captain and No 8 Morgan Wirepe junior making his50th appearance in a sky blue jersey, were no match for a slick Bay side who added 26 unanswered points despite playing into a strong breeze.
The Povert Bay forwards, in particular loose forwards Brent Ingram, Sione Ngatu and Michael Broadhurst, laid the platfrom for the backs to score six of the seven tries.
Poverty Bay captain and first five Scott Leighton, who was the backline general, scored a try and converted four others.
Despite the win, their six straight local derby victory, the Bay were consigned to the Lochore Cup, which they have won for the past two seasons, after King Country's win over Thames Valley.
On this performance it would take a brave man to bet against them making it three titles in succession.
Coach Paul Feeney's men have a habit of peaking at the latter end of the season and in exciting young winger Whaimotu Craft Chemis they have an outstanding prospect.
Craft Chemis came off his wing to carve huge holes up the middle of the paddock in the second half as the Coast wilted under a Bay onslaught.
Fijian halfback Kelemedi Bolotagane also caused the Coast problems with his acceleration from the base of the scrum and snappy passes.
Although on the losing team Coast No. 9 Charlie Harrison had an outstanding game.
Poverty Bay 45 (Daniel Cornwall, Whaimotu Craft Chemis, James Warren, Willis Tamatea, Sione Ngatu Scott Leighton, Kelemedi Bolotagane tries; Leighton 4 con, Ian Logan con) East Coast 0. Halftime: 19-0.
